40 years ago: Coyotes feasting on local watermelons

There was a big showdown occurring in northeast Kansas this summer, but it wasn't between human adversaries -- it was a stand-off between fruit and beast. Local gardeners were reporting that coyotes had been attacking their watermelon patches this week. Several farmers in Leavenworth County reported melons that had been clawed or bitten open, with the interior part of the fruit eaten "clear down to the hard rind" even when it had only just begun to ripen. A careful check of the ground in the area showed coyote prints, according to George Schlecty, the Forestry, Fish and Game Conservation Agent for Douglas and Leavenworth counties.

Resurfacing of K-10 had been completed this week between Lawrence and the Douglas-Johnson County line, with application of roadway markers set for early next week.